CONSTITUTION, 

BY-LAWS, 

Mtf  of  Bo$ine$  and  Rulg0  of  Order 


United  Labor  League 


PHILADELPHIA  AND  VICINITY. 


PHILA  DEIJ^W A  : 

D.  ,T.  Gallagher  &  Co.,  Printers. 
1890. 


CONSTITUTION, 

BY-LAWS, 

Orton  of  Ba$ine$  and  Rnleg  of  Orton 


OP  THE 

United  Labor  League 


PHILADELPHIA  AND  VICINITY 


PHILADELPHIA  .* 

D.  J.  Gallagher  &  Co.,  Printers. 
1890. 


l^o 


CONSTITUTION 


ARTICLE  I. 

Section  i  This  organization  shall  be  known  as 
the  United  Labor  League  of  Philadelphia 
and  Vicinity. 

Sec.  2.  This  organization  shall  be  composed  of 
delegates  from  the  various  labor  organizations  of 
Philadelphia  and  vicinity  who  shall  adopt  the  Con¬ 
stitution  of  this  League  and  abide  by  its  laws. 

Sec.  3.  The  object  of  the  League  is  to  secure  by 
unity  of  action  the  reforms  indicated  in  the  follow¬ 
ing  declaration  of  principles  and  by  the  following 
methods  : 


DECLARATION  OF  PRINCIPLES. 

Whereas,  The  necessity  for  unity  of  action 
among  wage-workers  has  been  fully  demonstrated, 
and  we  believe  such  unity  of  action  can  be  best 
accomplished  by  an  organization  composed  of 
delegates  chosen  by  the  various  trade  and  labor 
organizations  ;  therefore, 

Resolved ,  That  we,  representatives  of  the  vari¬ 
ous  trade  and  labor  organizations  of  Philadelphia 
and  vicinity,  do  adopt  the  following  declaration  of 
principles  : 

1.  The  organization  and  unification  of  labor. 


b  a.  ©> 


4 


2.  By  using  every  means  at  our  command  for  a 
/  reduction  of  the  hours  of  labor  in  order  that  we 

may  all  have  employment. 

3.  The  compulsory  education  of  children  up  to 
their  fifteenth  year. 

4.  Regulation  of  the  employment  of  women 
and  children. 

5.  By  assisting  the  various  organizations  herein 
represented  to  the  extent  of  our  ability,  whenever 
in  difficulty  and  enforce  that  assistance  by  with¬ 
drawing  and  using  our  utmost  influence  to  induce 
others  to  withdraw  all  patronage  from  any  em¬ 
ployer  who  seeks  to  control  unjustly  the  labor  of 
the  workers. 

6.  By  enforcing  all  existing  beneficial  labor  laws> 
and  by  agitating  for  the  repeal  of  all  laws  hostile 
to  the  interest  of  the  working  people  of  their 
organizations. 

7.  By  abolishing  the  truck  system;  by  opposing 
the  system  of  letting  out  by  contract  all  national, 
State  or  municipal  work;  by  opposing  the  letting 
out  by  contract  of  work  in  penitentiaries,  houses 
of  refuge  and  correctional  institutions;  by  demand¬ 
ing  a  mechanics’  and  laborers’  lien  law,  sanitary 
inspections  of  mines  and  work-shops,  a  separate 
Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  and  the  abolition  of 
conspiracy  laws  as  relating  to  labor  organizations. 

8.  The  adoption  of  measures  providing  for  the 
health  and  safety  of  those  engaged  in  mining, 
manufacturing  and  building  industries,  and  for 
indemnification  to  those  engaged  therein  for 
injuries  received  through  lack  of  necessary  safe¬ 
guards.  Also,  the  appointment  of  factory  and 


5 


building  inspectors  chosen  from  among  the  labor 
organizations  of  this  State. 

9.  By  using  every  means  in  our  power  to  induce 
the  workers  to  form  protective  organizations,  and 
by  providing  them  with  the  information,  advice  and 
literature  necessary  for  their  education  as  to  their 
position  of  wealth-producers,  and  by  providing 
legal  protection  for  them  in  the  laws  of  the  State. 

10.  To  secure  for  both  sexes  equal  pay  for  equal 
work. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  organization  shall 
consist  of  a  President,  Vice-President,  Recording 
and  Corresponding  Secretary,  a  Financial  Secre¬ 
tary,  Treasurer,  and  a  Sergeant-at  Arms.  The 
President  and  Vice-President  to  be  elected  for  the 
term  of  three  months  and  the  two  Secretaries  for 
the  term  of  one  year.  The  election  of  yearly 
officers  to  take  place  at  the  first  meeting  in  Janu¬ 
ary  of  each  year,  and  the  election  for  President 
and  Vice-President  at  the  first  meeting  in  January, 
April,  July  and  October. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to 
preside  at  all  meetings  and  preserve  order  at  the 
same,  sign  all  orders  on  the  Treasurer  authorized 
by  the  League,  appoint  all  committees  (unless 
otherwise  ordered),  and  execute  such  business  as 
instructed  by  the  League.  The  duties  of  the 
Vice-President  shall  be  the  same  as  the  Presi¬ 
dent’s,  but  only  in  his  absence  or  other  disability. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Recording  and 
Corresponding  Secretary,  to  keep  a  correct  record 


b 

* 

of  the  meetings,  and  to  conduct  all  correspond¬ 
ence  of  the  League,  and  to  perform  such  other 
duties  as  may  be  required  of  him  by  the  laws  and 
resolutions  of  the  League.  He  shall  receive  for 
his  services  the  sum  of  $1.50  per  meeting. 

Sec.  4.  The  Financial  Secretary-Treasurer  shall 
receive  all  moneys  and  deposit  all  sums  above  |ioo 
in  bank  to  the  credit  of  the  League,  and  shall  have 
bank-book  at  each  meeting  for  the  inspection  of 
the  President  and  auditing  committee,  and  shall 
keep  an  accurate  account  of  all  the  same  ;  make 
quarterly  statement  at  the  first  meeting  in  January, 
April,  July  and  October  of  all  moneys  received 
and  expended  and  notify  all  organizations  of  their 
standing ;  he  shall  pay  all  orders  When  properly 
signed  by  the  President  and  Recording  Secretary, 
and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  turn  all 
moneys,  books,  etc.,  over  to  his  successor.  He 
shall  read  at  the  close  of  each  meeting  the  amount 
of  moneys  received.  He  shall  give  a  bond  in  the 
sum  of  $200  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  du¬ 
ties.  He  shall  receive  for  his  services  the  sum  of 
$1.50  per  meeting. 

Sec.  5.  The  Sergeant-at-Arms  shall  have  charge 
of  the  door,  allow  no  one  to  enter  or  leave  during 
the  reading  of  the  minutes  or  while  a  vote  is  being 
taken.  During  executive  sessions  he  shall  admit 
none  but  delegates,  except  by  consent  of  the 
League. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Section  1.  The  Standing  Committees  shall  be: 
C omfrHttee  eft-Or^anization ,  Committee  on  Griev¬ 
ances,  Committx.^nn-r^>»-iii<>n  and^ijUitt^PPf- 


7 


mgs,  Committee  on  Legislation,  Committee  on 
Co-operative  Industries  an^A^bds,  Committee  on 
Building  Trades,  and  an  Auditing  Committee. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on 
Organization  td  visit  from  time  to  time  the  various 
organizations  not  attached  to  the  United  Labor 
League  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  their  affiliation. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on 
Grievances  to  take  cognizance  of  all  grievances 
properly  brought  before  the  League,  and  recom¬ 
mend  such  action  as  they  may  deem  best  to 
remedy  the  troubles  or  right  the  grievances.  They 
shall  have  power  to  summon  witnesses  and  take 
testimony.  All  grievances  must  be  presented  in 
writing  and  shall  be  referred  without  debate. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on 
Agitation  and  Public  Meetings  to  attend  to  the 
engaging  of  halls  and  speakers  for  public  meetings 
and  entertainments  and  all  printing  and  advertis¬ 
ing  pertaining  thereto,  and  have  charge  of  the  pre¬ 
paring  and  distribution  of  literature. 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee 
on  Legislation  to  secure  the  enforcement  of  all 
existing  laws  beneficial  to  labor,  endeavor  to  secure 
the  repeal  of  laws  antagonistic  to  organization, 
endeavor  to  secure  the  appointment  df  Building 
Inspectors  from  the  ranks  of  organized  labor,  par¬ 
ticularly  for  the  following  trades:  bricklayers,  stone¬ 
masons,  plumbers,  carpenters  and  plasterers;  the 
abrogation  of  the  contract  system  in  all  city  work, 
and  the  securing  of  proper  school  facilities  for  the 
young. 

Sec.  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on 


8 


Co-operative  Industries  and  Labels  to  advance  the 
interests  of  all  co-operative  enterprises  when 
started,  and  aid  in  the  advancement  of  co-opera- 
tiOn  whenever  practicable,  and  assist  in  the  ad¬ 
vancement  of  all  organizations  that  have  adopted 
a  trade  label. 

Sec.  7.  The  Committee  on  Building  Trades  shall 
have  charge  of  all  matters  reported  to  the  League 
from  the  various  trades  necessary  to  the  construc¬ 
tion  of  a  building,  subject  to  the  action  of  the 
League. 

Sec.  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Auditing  Com¬ 
mittee  to  examine  the  accounts  of  the  Financial 
Secretary-Treasurer  quarterly,  report  their  finding 
to  the  League,  and  see  that  all  sums  over  $100  are 
deposited  in  bank  to  the  credit  of  the  League. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Section  1.  Each  organization  shall  be  entitled  to 
two  delegates  and  one  additional  delegate  for  each 
hundred  members  or  majority  fraction  thereof. 

Sec.  2.  Each  organization  having  representation 
in  the  United  Labor  League  shall  pay  into  the 
treasury  of  the  League  the  sum  of  50  cents  per 
month  for  the  first  one  hundred  members  or  less; 
organizations  having  more  than  one  hundred 
members  shall  pay  an  additional  sum  of  not  less 
than  one-eighth  of  one  cent  per  month  for  each 
member. 

See.  3.  Any  organization  owing  three  months’ 
dues  shall  be  considered  in  arrears  and  shall  be 
notified  by  the  Financial  Secretary-Treasurer,  and 
failing  to  pay  its  indebtedness  at  either  of  the 


9 


two  succeeding  meetings  shall  be  declared  sus¬ 
pended  by  the  President,  unless  otherwise  ordered 
by  the  League.  Any  organization  suspended  shall 
be  notified  by  the  Recording  Secretary. 

Sec.  4.  Any  organization  suspended  for  non-pay¬ 
ment  of  dues  can  be  reinstated  upon  making  appli¬ 
cation,  in  writing,  accompanied  by  the  amount  of 
its  indebtedness  at  time  of  suspension. 

ARTICLE  V. 

This  Constitution  shall  not  be  altered  or  amended 
except  at  a  regular  meeting  of  the  League  with  the 
concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the  delegates  present, 
and  notice  of  such  amendment  shall  be  given  at 
least  two  weeks  previously. 


BY-LAWS. 


ARTICLE  I. 

Section  i.  The  regular  meetings  of  this  League 
shall  take  place  at  8  o’clock  on  the  second  and 
fourth  Tuesday  evenings  of  each  month,  and  shall 
close  at  30  minutes  after  10  o’clock,  after  which 
time  no  business  shall  be  transacted,  except  a 
motion  shall  have  been  passed  prior  to  10  o’clock 
to  extend  the  time  of  closing.  A  quorum  shall 
consist  of  one  fourth  of  the  organizations  repre¬ 
sented  on  the  roll  book  of  the  League. 

Sec  2.  Election  of  Officers. — The  election  shall 
be  by  ballot.  It  shall  require  a  majority  of  all  the 
votes  polled  to  elect.  Should  there  be  no  election 
on  the  first  ballot,  the  candidate  receiving  the 
lowest  number  of  votes  shall  be  dropped  on  the 
second  ballot,  and  so  with  each  succeeding  ballot, 
until  a  choice  shall  be  reached.  The  President 
shall  appoint  two  tellers  to  conduct  the  election, 
who  shall  collect  and  count  the  votes.  The  Presi¬ 
dent  shall  then  declare  the  result. 

Sec.  3.  The  President  shall  appoint  all  special 
committees,  and  fill  all  vacancies  when  not  other¬ 
wise  provided  for. 

Sec.  4.  All  special  committees  shall  report  in 
writing  at  the  next  stated  meeting  unless  other¬ 
wise  ordered,  and  all  final  reports  of  committees 

(10) 


II 


are  to  be  made  in  writing,  and  no  committee  is  to 
be  discharged  until  all  its  debts  are  paid. 

Sec.  5.  Any  three  organizations  shall  have  the 
right  to  demand  a  yea  and  nay  vote  on  any  reso¬ 
lution  pending. 

Sec.  6.  A  compreher  sive  record  of  the  proceed¬ 
ings  shall  be  printed  for  the  use  of  the  organiza¬ 
tions. 

ARTICLE  II. 

No  delegate  shall  be  admitted  until  he  has  de¬ 
posited  with  the  Recording  Secretary  his  creden¬ 
tials,  bearing  the  signature  of  the  officers  of  his 
organization,  with  the  seal  thereon,  and  stating 
the  willingness  of  the  organization  to  be  bound  by 
the  laws  and  regulations  of  the  League  while  rep¬ 
resented. 

ARTICLE  III. 

These  By-Laws  can  be  amended  by  a  vote  of 
two-thirds  of  the  members  present,  provided  the 
same  shall  have  been  presented  in  writing  at  a 
previous  regular  meeting. 

! 


I 


ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 


Roll-call  of  Officers. 

Roll-call  of  Delegates. 

Reading  of  Minutes. 

Admission  of  Delegates. 

Reports  of  Special  Committees. 
Reports  of  Standing  Committees. 
Report  of  Officers. 

Reports  of  Organizations. 
Nomination  of  Officers. 

Election  of  Officers. 

Installation  of  Officers. 
Communications  and  Bills. 
Unfinished  Business. 

New  Business. 

Welfare  of  the  League. 

Receipts. 

Adjournment. 


RULES  OF  ORDER. 


No  delegate  shall  speak  more  than  once,  or 
longer  than  5  minutes,  on  any  question. 


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HENRY  J.  NEU 

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PHILADELPHIA  AND  VICINITY 


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Rules  of  Order  and  Order  of  Business.  g 


CONSTITUTION 


AND 

BY -LA  WS 


OF  THE 

United  Labor  League 


PHILADELPHIA  AND  VICINITY. 


Rules  of  Order  and  Order  of  Business. 


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<0.  TRADES 


GEORGE  CHANCE ,  15  N.  THIRTEENTH  STREET. 


HENRY  JOHN  NELSON, 
Attorney  at  Law, 

E.  COR.  BROAD  &  ARCH  STS., 

PHlLADtLr’rtlA,  HA. 

PREAMBLE 

AND 

DECLARATION  OF  PRINCIPLES. 


We  declare  as  our  belief, 

First.  That  the  cause  of  industrial  slavery  is  due 
to  the  fact  of  the  individual  ownership  of  all  the 
essential  means  necessary  to  the  employment  of 
labor,  viz:  land,  machinery,  tools  transportation, 
etc. 

Second.  Those  who  have  no  means  to  employ 
their  own  labor  are  forced  to  sell  their  labor  in  the 
general  market  for  wages,  and  in  competition  with 
their  fellows  similarly  situated,  to  the  individual 
in  possession  of  the  instruments  of  labor.  This 
fact  constitutes  the  chief  factor  in  the  present  indi¬ 
vidualistic  competitive  system  of  society,  and 
enables  the  individual  to  exploit  the  labor  of  the 
masses  by  taking  advantage  of  their  necessities. 
Thus  wealth,  the  result  of  toil,  is  constantly  accu¬ 
mulating  in  the  hands  of  the  few,  while  the  greater 
number  are  merely  eking  out  an  animal  existence 
by  hard,  unrequited  toil  from  day  to  day. 


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4 


Third.  We  therefore  denounce  this  system  and 
express  the  hope  of  its  ultimate  extinction,  and  the 
substitution  of  the  system  of  universal  co-operation 
as  more  reasonable,  orderly  and  just  to  all  man¬ 
kind. 

Fourth.  By  universal  co-operation  we  mean 
the  collective  self-employment  of  all  workers  by 
means  of  placing  the  control  and  ownership  of  the 
instruments  of  production  and  distribution  in  the 
hands  of  associated  labor,  as  distinct  and  free  from 
individual  domination  or  selfish  greed. 

Fifth.  We  hold  the  interests,  rights  and  liberties 
of  the  individual  are  best  conserved  by  an  asso¬ 
ciation  of  forces;  even  now  what  individuality  there 
is  enjoyed  in  general  society  is  but  the  result  of 
the  collective  will  and  power  of  the  many  combined 
in  one,  through  the  state,  municipality  and  gov¬ 
ernment;  and  we  point  in  further  proof  to  the 
tremendous  progress  of  the  principles  of  organiza¬ 
tion  in  all  the  numerous  ramifications  of  society, 
showing  plainly  the  evolution  of  mankind  to  be  in 
the  direction  of  collectivism  rather  than  individ¬ 
ualism.  Keeping  in  view,  then,  the  above  decla¬ 
ration  of  principles,  we  urge  our  fellow-toilers  to 
associate  themselves  in  unions,  in  order  to  keep 
alive  the  spirit  of  solidarity  and  to  strengthen 
themselves  in  every  way  in  their  struggles  for 


5 


emancipation,  leading  them  on  step  by  step  until 
the  toiler  receives  the  full  results  of  his  labor — no 
more,  no  less.  As  a  means  to  the  furtherance  of 
our  ultimate  object,  outlined  in  the  above  preamble, 
and  ameliorative  of  present  necessities  we  urge 
the  following  palliative  measures: 

First.  To  encourage  all  efforts  looking  toward 
higher  wages,  and  by  using  every  means  at  our 
command  for  a  reduction  of  the  hours  of  labor  in 
order  that  we  may  all  have  employment. 

Second.  The  compulsory  education  of  children 
up  to  their  fifteenth  year. 

Third.  By  assisting  the  various  organizations 
herein  represented  to  the  extent  of  our  ability, 
whenever  in  difficulty,  and  enforce  that  assistance 
by  withdrawing  and  using  our  utmost  influence  to 
induce  others  to  withdraw  all  patronage  from  any 
employer  who  seeks  to  control  unjustly  the  labor 
of  the  workers. 

Fourth.  By  enforcing  all  existing  beneficial 
labor  laws  and  by  agitating  for  the  repeal  of  all 
laws  hostile  to  the  interest  of  the  working  people 
or  their  organizations,  and  by  opposing  the  system 
of  letting  out  by  contract  all  national,  state  or 
municipal  work;  by  opposing  the  letting  out  bv 
con  tract  of  work  in  penitentiaries,  houses  of  refuge 
and  correctional  institutions;  by  demanding  a 


6 


mechanics’  and  laborers’  lien  law,  sanitary  inspec¬ 
tion  of  mines  and  workshops,  a  separate  bureau  of 
labor  statistics. 

Fifth.  The  adoption  of  measures  providing 
for  the  health  and  safety  of  those  engaged  in 
mining,  manufacturing  and  building  industries, 
and  for  indemnification  to  those  engaged  therein 
for  injuries  received  through  the  lack  of  necessary 
safeguards.  Also,  appointment  of  factory  and 
building  inspectors  chosen  from  among  the  labor 
organizations  of  this  State. 

Sixth.  By  using  every  means  in  our  power  to 
induce  the  workers  to  form  protective  organiza¬ 
tions,  and  by  providing  them  with  the  information, 
advice  and  literature  necessary  for  their  education 
to  their  position  as  wealth-producers,  and  by  pro¬ 
viding  legal  protection  for  them  in  the  laws  of  the 
State. 


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RT^ICLK  I. 

Section  I.  This  organization  shall  be  known 
is  the  United  Labor  League  of  Philadelphia 
and  Vicinity,  and  shall  be  composed  of  delegates 
from  the  various  trade  and  labor  unions. 

Sec.  2.  The  officers  of  this  organization  shall 
consist  of  a  President,  Vice  President,  Recording- 
Corresponding  Secretary,  a  Financial  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  a  Sergeant-at-Arrns  and  two  Trustees. 
The  President  and  Vice  President  to  be  elected  for 
the  term  of  six  months,  and  also  the  Trustees. 
The  two  Secretaries  for  the  term  of  one  year.  The 


election  of  yearly  officers  to  take  place  at  the  first 
meeting  in  January  of  each  year,  and  the  election 
for  President  and  Vice  President  at  the  first  meet¬ 
ing  in  January  and  July. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to 
preside  at  all  meetings  and  preserve  order  at  the 
same,  sign  all  orders  on  the  Treasurer  authorized 
by  the  League,  appoint  all  committees  (unless 
otherwise  ordered),  and  execute  such  other  business 
as  instiucted  by  the  League.  The  duties  of  the 
(7) 


8 


Vice  President  shall  be  the  same  as  the  President, 
but  only  in  his  absence  or  disability. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Recording- 
Corresponding  Secretary  to  keep  a  correct  record 
of  the  meetings,  and  to  conduct  all  correspondence 
of  the  League,  and  to  perform  such  other  duties  as 
may  be  required  by  the  League.  The  compensa¬ 
tion  shall  be  $  1.50  per  meeting. 

Sec.  5.  The  Financial  Secretary-Treasurer  shall 
receive  all  moneys,  keep  accurate  account  of  the 
same,  deposit  in  bank  all  sums  above  $100,  make 
quarterly  statements  of  moneys  received  and  ex¬ 
pended  and  present  bank  book  for  inspection  of 
officers  at  the  first  meeting  in  January,  April,  July 
and  October.  He  shall  pay  all  orders  properly 
signed  by  the  President  and  Recording  Secretary, 
and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  turn  all 
moneys,  books,  etc.,  over  to  his  successor;  he  shal] 
read  at  the  close  of  each  meeting  the  amount  of 
money  received,  and  give  bond  in  the  amount  of 
$500  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties. 
The  expense  for  procuring  bond  shall  be  defrayed 
by  the  League.  He  shall  receive  for  his  services 
the  sum  of  $1.50  per  meeting. 

Sec.  6.  The  Sergeant-at-Arms  shall  have  charge 
of  the  door,  allow  no  one  to  leave  during  the  read¬ 
ing  of  the  minutes  or  while  a  vote  is  being  taken. 


6 


During  executive  sessions  he  shall  admit  none  but 
lelegates,  except  by  consent  of  the  League.  His 
:erm  of  office  shall  be  for  one  year. 

See.  7.  The  President  and  Recording  Secretary 
-shall  act  as  the  Trustees. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Section  1.  The  standing  Committees  shall  be 
Committees  on  Organization,  Agitation  and  Public 
Meetings,  Committee  on  Grievance,  Committee  on 
Legislation  and  Labels,  Committee  on  Building 
Trades  and  an  Auditing  Committee. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee 
on  Organization,  etc.,  to  visit  from  time  to  time 
the  various  organizations  attached  or  not  attached 
to  the  League  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  their 
affiliation  or  to  strengthen  them  if  already  attached. 
To  attend  to  the  engaging  of  halls  and  speakers 
for  public  meetings  and  all  printing  and  advertising 
pertaining  thereto. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee 
on  Grievances  to  take  cognizance  of  all  grievances 
properly  brought  before  the  League,  and  recom¬ 
mend  such  action  as  they  may  deem  best  to  remedy 
the  troubles  or  right  the  grievance;  they  shall  have 
power  to  summon  witnesses  and  take  testimony. 
All  grievances  must  be  presented  in  writing  and 
shall  be  referred  without  debate.  In  case  of  any 


IO 


trade  or  calling  presenting  a  grievance  and  trade 
or  calling  having  no  representative  on  the  Griev¬ 
ance  Committee,  the  President  of  the  League  shall 
appoint  one  delegate  from  said  trade  or  calling  to 
act  in  conjunction  with  the  regular  Committee. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee 
on  Legislation  and  Labels  to  secure  the  enforce¬ 
ment  of  all  existing  laws  beneficial  to  labor,  en¬ 
deavor  to  secure  the  repeal  of  laws  antagonistic  to 
labor,  and  endeavor  to  secure  the  appointment  of 
Building  Inspectors  from  the  ranks  of  organized 
labor,  to  secure  the  abrogation  of  the  contract 
system  in  all  city  work,  secure  proper  school  facil¬ 
ities  for  the  young,  and  assist  in  the  advancement 
of  all  labels  that  have  been  adopted  by  the  various 
trades. 

Sec.  5.  The  Committee  on  Building  Trades 
shall  have  charge  of  all  matters  reported  to  the 
League  from  the  various  trades  necessary  to  the 
construction  of  a  building,  subject  to  the  action  of 
the  League. 

Sec.  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Auditing 
Committee  to  examine  the  accounts  of  the  Finan¬ 
cial  Secretary-Treasurer  quarterly,  report  their 
finding  to  the  League,  and  see  that  all  sums  over 
$100  are  deposited  in  bank  to  the  credit  of  the 
League. 


article  III. 

Section  i.  Each  organization  shall  be  entitled 
;o  two  delegates  and  one  additional  delegate  for 
-ach  hundred  members  or  majority  fraction 
hereof. 

Section  2.  Each  organization  having  represent 
tation  in  the  United  Labor  League  shall  pay  into 
the  treasury  of  the  League  the  sum  of  75  cents 
per  month  for  the  first  one  hundred  members  or 
less  ;  organizations  having  more  than  one  hundred 
members  shall  pay  an  additional  sum  of  not  less 
than  one-fourth  of  one  cent  per  month  for  each 
member. 

Section  3.  Any  organization  owing  three 
months’  dues  shall  be  considered  in  arrears  and 
shall  be  notified  by  the  Financial  Secretary-Treas¬ 
urer,  and  failing  to  pay  its  indebtedness  at  either 
of  the  two  succeeding  meetings  shall  be  declared 
suspended  by  the  President.  Any  organization 
suspended  shall  be  notified  by  the  Recording  Sec¬ 
retary. 

Section  4.  Any  organization  suspended  for 
non-pavment  of  dues  can  be  reinstated  upon  mak¬ 
ing  application  in  writing  accompanied  by  the 
amount  of  its  indebtedness  at  the  time  of  sus¬ 
pension. 


12 


ARTICLE  IV. 

This  Constitution  shall  not  be  altered  c 
amended  except  at  a  regular  meeting  of  the  Leagu 
with  the  concurrence  of  a  'majority  of  the  delegate 
present,  and  notice  of  such  amendment  shall  b 
given  at  least  four  weeks  previously.  The  Leagu 
shall  then  immediately  notify  all  represented 
bodies  of  such  amendment. 

HENRY  J.  NELSON, 
University  Dormitories, 

Station  “  B,”  -  Philadelphia. 


BY-LAWS. 


m 

ARTICLE  I. 

Section  i  The  regular  meetings  of  the  League 
1  hall  take  place  at  thirty  minutes  past  two  o’clock 
n  the  second  and  fourth  Sunday  of  each  month* 
nd  shall  close  at  thirty  minutes  after  five  o’clock, 
fter  which  time  no  business  shall  be  transacted, 
xcept  a  motion  shall  have  been  passed  prior  to 
ive  o’clock  to  extend  the  time  of  closing.  A  quo- 
um  shall  consist  of  twelve  delegates  representing 
ive  organizations  on  the  roll  book  of  the  League. 

Section  2.  Election  of  officers.— The  election 
hall  be  by  ballot,  It  shall  require  a  majority  of 
.11  votes  polled  to  elect.  Should  there  by  no  elec- 
ion  on  the  first  ballot,  the  candidate  receiving  the 
owest  number  of  votes  shall  be  dropped  on  the 
econd  ballot,  and  so  with  each  succeeding  ballot 
intil  a  choice  shall  be  reached.  The  League  shall 
lect  a  judge  and  twp  tellers  to  conduct  the  elec- 
ion.  The  President  shall  then  declare  the  result. 

Section  3.  The  President  shall  appoint  all 

(13) 


special  committees,  and  fill  all  vacancies  when  not 
otherwise  provided  for. 

Section  4.  All  special  committees  shall  report 
at  the  next  stated  meeting',  unless  otherwise 
ordered,  and  no  committee  is  to  be  discharged 
until  all  its  debts  paid. 

Section  5.  Any  organization  shall  have  the  right 
to  demand  a  yea  and  nay  vote  on  any  resolution 
pending. 

ARTICLE  II. 

No  delegate  shall  be  admitted  as  such  until  he 
has  deposited  with  the  Recording  Secretary  his 
credentials,  bearing  the  signature  of  the  officers  of 
his  organization,  with  the  seal  thereon,  and  stating 
the  willingness  of  the  organization  to  be  bound 
by  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the  League  while 
represented. 

ARTICLE  III. 

These  By-Laws  can  be  amended  or  abolished 
by  a  majority  vote  of  the  members  present,  pro¬ 
vided  the  same  shall  have  been  presented  in  writing 
at  least  four  weeks  previous. 


15 


ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 


1.  Roll  Call  of  Officers. 

2.  Roll  Call  of  Delegates. 

3.  Reading  of  Minutes. 

4.  Admission  of  Delegates. 

5.  Communications  and  Bills. 

6.  Reports  of  Special  Committees. 

7.  Reports  of  Standing  Committees. 

8.  Reports  of  Officers. 

9.  Reports  of  Organizations. 

10.  Nomination  of  Officers. 

11.  Election  of  Officers. 

12.  Installation  of  Officers. 

13.  Unfinished  Business. 

14.  New  Business. 

15.  Welfare  of  the  Eeague. 

16.  Receipts. 

17.  Adjournment. 


Rules  of  order. 


No  delegate  shall  speak  more  than  once  of 
longer  than  ten  minutes  on  any  question  except 
by  consent  of  the  League,  provided  no  other  dele- 
gate  desires  to  speak. 

This  Constitution  and  By-Laws  shall  go  into 
effect  the  first  meeting  in  July,  189.3. 


United 

Labor 

,  <  t  '  1 

League 


CONSTITUTION , 


BY-LAWS, 

RULES  OF  ORDER 

AND 

Order  of  Business 

OF  THE 

United  Labor  League 


Philadelphia  and  Vicinity. 


APRIL ,  1901. 


A  vfp 

1 3  M 


f  r- 


HENRY  JOHN  NELSON, 

Attorney  a*  La'"’  TS 

E  COR.  BROAD  &  ARCH  STS., 

preamble 

AND 

declaration  of  principles. 

\a/p  declare  as  our  belief, 

p:rst _ That  the  cause  of  industrial  slavery 

is  due  to  the  fact  of  the  individual  owner¬ 
ship  of  all  the  essential  means  necessary^ 
the  employment  of  labor,  viz.. 

competition  with  their  fellows  similarly  s  - 

«£ » •* "  i:  sis  2  ££ 

competitive  system  ot  socie  y, 
the  individual  to  exploit  the  “or  oi  te 
masse,  b,  taking  advantage  oi  ttor  nece^ 
ties.  Thus  wealth,  the  result  of  to  , 


4 


stantly  accumulating  in  the  hands  of  the  few, 
while  the  greater  number  are  merely  eking 
out  an  animal  existence  by  hard,  unrequited 
toil  from  day  to  Uay. 

Third — We  therefore  denounce  this  system 
and  express  the  hope  of  its  ultimate  extinc¬ 
tion,  and  the  substitution  of  the  system  of 
universal  co-operation  as  more  reasonable, 
orderly,  and  just  to  all  mankind. 

Fourth — By  universal  co-operation  we 
mean  the  collective  self-employment  of  all 
workers  by  means  of  placing  the  control  and 
ownership  of  the  instruments  of  production 
and  distribution  in  the  hands  of  associated 
labor,  as  distinct  and  free  from  individual 
domination  or  selfish  greed. 

Fifth — We  hold  the  interests,  rights  and 
liberties  of  the  individual  are  best  conserved 
by  an  association  of  forces;  even  now  what 
individuality  there  is  enjoyed  in  general  so¬ 
ciety  is  but  the  result  of  the  collective  will 
and  power  of  many  combined  in  one,  through 
the  state,  municipality  and  government;  and 
we  point  in  further  proof  to  the  tremendous 
progress  of  the  principles  of  organization 
in  all  the  numerous  ramifications  of  society, 
showing  plainly  the  evolution  of  mankind  to 
be  in  the  direction  of  collectivism  rather  than 


5 


individualism.  Keeping  in  view,  then,  the 
above  declaration  of  principles,  we  urge  our 
fellow-toilers  to  associate  themselves  in  un¬ 
ions,  in  order  to  keep  alive  the  spirit  of  solid¬ 
arity  and  to  strengthen  themselves  in  every 
way  in  their  struggles  for  emancipation,  lead¬ 
ing  them  on  step  by  step  until  the  toiler  re¬ 
ceives  the  full  results  of  this  labor — no  more, 
no  less.  As  a  means  to  the  furtherance  of  our 
ultimate  object,  outlined  in  the  above  pre¬ 
amble,  and  ameliorative  of  present  necessities 
we  urge  the  following  palliative  measures: 

First — To  encourage  all  efforts  looking 
toward  higher  wages,  and  by  using  every 
means  at  our  command  for  a  reduction  of  the 
hours  of  labor  in  order  that  we  may  all  have 
employment. 

Second — The  compulsory  education  of 
children  up  to  their  fifteenth  year. 

Third — By  assisting  the  various  organiza¬ 
tions  herein  represented  to  the  extent  of  our 
ability  whenever  in  difficulty;  and  enforce 
that  assistance  by  withdrawing  and  using  our 
utmost  influence  to  induce  others  to  with¬ 
draw  all  patronage  from  any  employer  who 
seeks  to  control  unjustly  the  labor  of  the 
workers. 

Fourth — By  enforcing  all  existing  bene- 


6 


ficial  labor  laws  and  by  agitating  for  the  re¬ 
peal  of  all  laws  hostile  to  the  interest  of  the 
working  people  or  their  organizations;  by 
opposing  the  system  of  letting  out  by  con¬ 
tract  all  national,  state  or  municipal  work; 
by  opposing  the  letting  out  by  contract  of 
work  in  penitentiaries,  houses  of  refuge  and 
correctional  institutions;  by  demanding  a  me¬ 
chanics’  and  laborers’  lien  law,  sanitary  in¬ 
spection  of  mines  and  workshops,  and  a  sep¬ 
arate  bureau  of  labor  statistics. 

Fifth — The  adoption  of  measures  provid¬ 
ing  for  the  health  and  safety  of  those  en¬ 
gaged  in  mining,  manufacturing  and  building 
industries,  and  for  indemnification  to  those 
engaged  therein  for  injuries  received  through 
the  lack  of  necessary  safeguards.  Also,  the 
appointment  of  factory  and  building  inspect¬ 
ors  chosen  from  among  the  labor  organiza¬ 
tions  of  this  State. 

Sixth — By  using  every  means  in  our  power 
to  induce  the  workers  to  form  protective 
organizations,  and  by  providing  them  with 
the  information,  advice  and  literature  nec¬ 
essary  for  their  education  to  their  position 
as  wealth-producers,  and  by  providing  legal 
protection  for  them  in  the  laws  of  the  State. 


CONSTITUTION 


ARTICLE  I. 

TlTEE  AND  OFFICERS. 

Section  i.  This  organization  shall  be 
known  as  the  “United  Labor  League  of  Phil¬ 
adelphia  and  Vicinity,”  and  shall  be  com¬ 
posed  of  delegates  from  the  various  trade 
and  labor  unions. 

Sec.  2.  The  officers  of  this  organization 
shall  consist  of  a  President,  Vice-President, 
Corresponding-Recording  Secretary,  Finan¬ 
cial  Secretary,  Treasurer,  Sergeant-at-Arms, 
three  Trustees  and  an  Advisory  Board,  of 
seven  members,  of  official  paper.  The  Presi¬ 
dent  and  Vice-President  to  be  elected  for  a 
term  of  six  months.  All  the  other  officers 
for  a  term  of  one  year,  or  until  their  suc¬ 
cessors  are  elected.  The  election  of  yearly 
officers  to  take  place  at  the  first  meeting  in 
January  of  each  year  and  the  election  for  Pres¬ 
ident  and  Vice-President  at  the  first  meet- 


8 


ings  in  January  and  July.  Nominations  for 
all  officers  to  be  declared  open  two  meetings 
preceding  election. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Presi¬ 
dent  to  preside  at  all  meetings  and  preserve 
order  at  the  same,  sign  all  orders  on  the 
Treasurer  authorized  by  the  League,  appoint 
all  committees  (unless  otherwise  ordered), 
and  execute  such  other  business  as  instructed 
by  the  League.  The  duties  of  the  Vice-Pres¬ 
ident  shall  be  the  same  as  the  President,  but 
only  in  his  absence  or  disability. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Cor¬ 
responding-Recording  Secretary  to  keep  a 
correct  record  of  the  proceedings  of  each 
meeting,  and  to  perform  such  other  duties 
as  may  be  required  by  tne  League.  The 
compensation  shall  be  $2.50  per  meeting. 

Sec.  5.  The  Financial  Secretary-Treasurer 
shall  receive  all  moneys,  keep  accurate  account 
of  the  same,  deposit  in  bank  all  sums  above 
$100,  make  quarterly  statements  of  moneys 
received  and  expended  and  present  bank 
book  for  inspetion  of  officers  at  the  first 
meetings  in  January,  April,  July  and  October. 
He  shall  pay  all  orders  properly  signed  by 
the  President  and  Recording  Secretary,  and 
at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  turn 


9 


all  moneys,  books,  etc.,  over  to  his  suc¬ 
cessor;  he  shall  read  at  the  close  of  each 
meeting  the  amount  of  money  received,  and 
give  bond  in  the  amount  of  $1000  for  the 
faithful  performance  of  his  duties.  The  ex¬ 
pense  for  procuring  bond  shall  be  defrayed 
by  the  League.  He  shall  receive  for  his 
services  the  sum  of  $2.50  per  meeting. 

Sec.  6.  The  Sergeant-at-Arms  shall  have 
charge  of  the  door,  allow  no  one  to  leave 
during  the  reading  of  the  minutes  or  while 
a  vote  is  being  taken.  During  executive  ses¬ 
sions  he  shall  admit  none  but  delegates,  ex¬ 
cept  by  consent  of  the  League.  His  term  of 
office  shall  be  for  one  year. 

Sec.  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Trus¬ 
tees  to  exercise  a  general  supervision  over 
the  property  of  the  League.  They  shall  have 
prepared  for  and  receive  from  the  Financial 
Secretary-Treasurer  a  bond  in  such  sum  as 
this  Constitution  or  the  League  may  require, 
which  shall  be  within  one  month  from  the 
date  of  his  election.  They  shall  have  charge 
of  all  legal  instruments  and  papers  of  value 
to  the  League,  and  shall  perform  such  other 
duties  as  this  League  may  require. 

Sec.  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Ad¬ 
visory  Board  of  the  official  paper  of  this 


I  o 


League  to  have  control  over  the  same  as  per 
contract  with  the  publisher. 

ARTICLE  II 

COMMITTEES. 

Section  I.  The  standing  Committees  shall 
be — Committee  on  Organization,  Agitation 
and  Public  Meetings;  Committee  on  Griev¬ 
ance;  Committee  on  Legislation;  Committee 
on  Labels;  Committee  on  Building  Trades' 
Committee  on  Entertainment  and  Celebra¬ 
tion,  each  to  consist  of  five  members,  and  an 
Auditing  Committee,  to  consist  of  three 
members. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Com¬ 
mittee  on  Organization,  etc.,  to  visit  from 
time  to  time  the  various  organizations  at¬ 
tached  or  not  attached  to  the  League,  for 
the  purpose  of  inducing  their  affiliation  or  to 
strengthen  them  if  already  attached;  to  at¬ 
tend  to  the  engaging  of  halls  and  speakers 
for  public  meetings,  and  all  printing  and  ad¬ 
vertising  pertaining  thereto. 

Sec.  3..  If  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Com¬ 
mittee  on  Grievance  to  take  cognizance  of 
all  grievances  properly  brought  before  the 
League,  and  recommend  such  action  as  they 


II 


may  deem  best  to  remedy  the  troubles  or 
right  the  grievance;  they  shall  have  power 
to  summon  witnesses  and  take  testimony. 
All  grievances  must  be  presented  in  writing 
and  shall  be  referred  without  debate.  In  case 
of  any  trade  or  calling  presenting  a  grievance 
and  such  trade  or  calling  having  no  repre¬ 
sentative  on  the  Grievance  Committee,  the 
President  of  the  League  shall  appoint  one 
delegate  from  said  trade  or  calling  to  act  in 
conjunction  with  the  regular  committee. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Com¬ 
mittee  on  Legislation  to  secure  the  enforce¬ 
ment  of  all  existing  laws  beneficial  to  labor 
and  the  repeal  of  those  antagonistic;  the  ap- 
oointment  of  Building  and  Factory  Inspect¬ 
ors  from  the  ranks  of  organized  labor;  the 
abrogation  of  the  contract  system  in  all  city 
work*  to  secure  the  proper  school  facilities 
for  the  young,  and  to  have  sanitary  laws  pro¬ 
tecting  the  health  of  the  people  enacted  and 
enforced. 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Com¬ 
mittee  on  Labels  to  attend  to  all  matters  re¬ 
ferred  to  it  in  connection  with  legislation  or 
advertising  in  the  interest  of  labels,  or  label 
grievances,  and  from  time  to  time  to  visit  all 
organizations  for  the  purpose  of  advancing 


12 


the  interest  of  all  labels  among  the  general 
membership. 

Sec.  6.  The  Committee  on  Building 
Trades  shall  have  charge  of  all  matters  re¬ 
ported  to  the  League  from  the  various  trades 
connected  with  the  construction  of  a  building 
subject  to  the  action  of  the  League. 

Sec.  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Com-^ 
mittee  on  Entertainment  and  Celebration  to 
have  charge  of  all  arrangements  for  the 
proper  celebration  of  May  Day  and  Labor 
Day,  and  such  other  entertainment  or  cele¬ 
bration  as  the  League  may  decide  upon.  In 
the  carrying  out  of  their  plans  the  committee 
shall  have  power  to  temporarily  add  to  their 
membership. 

Sec.  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Audit¬ 
ing  Committee  to  audit  the  accounts  of  the 
Financial  Secretary-Treasurer  quarterly  and 
the  financial  reports  of  all  committees  and 
report  their  finding  to  the  League,  and  see 
that  all  sums  over  $100  are  deposited  in  bank 
to  the  credit  of  the  League. 

Sec.  9.  There  shall  be  an  Executive  Board 
which  shall  consist  of  the  Chairmen  of  the 
League's  standing  committees.  It  shall  be 
the  duty  of  said  Board  to  ascertain  how  the 
League  can  benefit  the  unions  affiliated  with 


13 


it,  and  it  shall  assign  to  the  proper  commit¬ 
tees  the  work  of  carrying  out  this  policy.  It 
shall  also  recommend  to  the  League  plans  to 
promote  the  general  welfare  of  the  labor 
movement  in  Philadelphia.  Weekly  meetings 
shall  be  held  by  the  Executive  Board. 


ARTICLE  III. 

DELEGATES. 

Section  I.  Each  organization  shall  be  en¬ 
titled  to  two  delegates  and  one  additional 
delegate  for  each  hundred  members  or  ma¬ 
jority  fraction  thereof. 

PER  CAPITA. 

Sec.  2.  Each  organization  having  repre¬ 
sentation  in  the  United  Labor  League  shall 
pay  into  the  treasury  of  the  League  the  sum 
of  75  cents  per  month  for  the  first  one  hun¬ 
dred  members  or  less;  organizations  having 
more  than  one  hundred  members  shall  pay 
an  additional  sum  of  one-fourth  of  one  cent 
per  month  for  each  member.  Organizations 
affiliating  shall  pay  the  first  month’s  per  cap¬ 
ita  tax  in  advance. 


14 


ARREARS— SUSPENSIONS. 

Sec.  3.  Any  organization  owing  three 
'months’  dues  shall  be  considered  in  arrears 
and  shall  be  notified  by  the  Financial  Sec¬ 
retary-Treasurer,  and  failing  to  pay  its  indebt¬ 
edness  at  either  of  the  two  succeeding  meet¬ 
ings  shall  be  declared  suspended  by  the  Pres¬ 
ident.  Any  organization  suspended  shall  be 
notified  by  the  Recording  Secretary. 

reinstatement. 

Sec.  4.  Any  organization  suspended  for 
non-payment  of  dues  can  be  reinstated  upon 
making  application  in  writing  accompanied 
by  the  amount  of  its  indebtedness  at  the  time 
of  suspension. 


ARTICLE  IV. 
amendments. 

This  Constitution  shall  not  be  altered  or 
amended  except  at  a  regular  meeting  of  the 
League  with  the  concurrence  of  a  majority  of 
the  delegates  present,  and  notice  of  such 
amendment  shall  be  given  at  least  four  weeks 
previously.  The  League  shall  then  immedi¬ 
ately  notify  all  represented  bodies  of  such 
amendment. 


BY-LAWS 


ARTICLE  I. 

MEETING — QUORUM. 

Section  i.  The  regular  meetings  of  the 
League  shall  take  place  at  two  o’clock  p.  m, 
on  the  second  and  fourth  Sundays  of  each 
month. 

Sec.  2.  At  the  hour  of  meeting,  if  a  quo¬ 
rum  be  present,  the  meeting  shall  be  called 
to  order.  A  quorum  shall  consist  of  twelve 
delegates,  representing  five  organizations  on 
the  roll  book  of  the  League. 

ARTICLE  II. 

NOMINATION  AND  ERECTION. 

Section  i.  Nominations  for  yearly  offices* 
shall  be  declared  open  at  the  first  meeting 
in  December  and  closed  at  the  second  meeL 
my.  Nominations1  for  President  arid  Vice- 
15 


i6 


President  shall  be  made  in  the  same  manner 
• — two  meetings  election. 

Sec.  2.  Election  of  all  officers  shall  be  by 
ballot.  The  name  of  each  candidate  shall  be 
written  on  similar  slips  of  paper,  furnished 
blank  to  the  delegates  by  the  Secretary,  and 
all  the  slips  shall  be  placed  in  a  hat  or  ballot 
box,  from  which  they  shall  be  drawn  one  at 
a  time.  It  shall  require  a  majority  of  all  votes 
polled  to  elect.  Should  there  be  no  election 
on  the  first  ballot,  the  candidates  receiving 
the  lowest  numbr  of  votes  shall  be  dropped 
on  the  second  ballot,  and  so  with  each  suc¬ 
ceeding  ballot  until  a  choice  shall  be  reached. 

Sec.  3.  The  President  shall  appoint  a  judge 
and  two  tellers  to  conduct  the  election,  unless 
otherwise  ordered.  The  election  officers  hav¬ 
ing  reported,  the  President  shall  then  declare 
the  result. 


ARTICLE  III. 

COMMITTEES. 

Section  I.  The  President  shall  appoint  all 
special  committees,  and  fill  all  vacancies,  un¬ 
less  otherwise  provided  for. 

Sec.  2.  All  special  committees  shall  report 
at  the  next  stated  meeting,  unless  otherwise 


i7 


ordered,  and  no  committee  shall  be  dis¬ 
charged  until  all  debts  it  may  have  contracted 
are  paid. 

Sec.  3.  No  member  shall  be  appointed  on 
a  special  committee  unless  present  at  the  time 
of  appointment;  nor  shall  any  member  be 
compelled  to  serve  two  successive  terms  on 
any  one  committee. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

ADMISSION  OF  DELEGATES. 

Delegates  to  the  League  shall  only  be  ad¬ 
mitted  upon  depositing  with  the  Recording 
Secretary  their  credentials,  bearing  the  sig¬ 
natures  of  the  President  and  Secretary  of 
their  organization,  with  the  seal  thereon,  and 
stating  the  willingness  of  the  organization  to 
be  bound  by  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the 
League  while  represented. 

ARTICLE  V. 

AMENDMENTS. 

These  By-Laws  shall  not  be  altered  or 
amended  except  by  a  majority  vote  of  the 
members  present  at  a  regular  meeting.  Notice 
of  an  intended  alteration  or  amendment  must 
be  given  in  writing  at  least  four  weeks  prev¬ 
ious. 


RULES  OF  ORDER . 


1.  No  motion  shall  be  received,  or  laid 
before  the  League,  unless  moved  by  two 
members;  nor  open  for  discussion  until  stated 
by  the  President;  and  when  a  question  is  be¬ 
fore  the  League  no  other  motion  shall  be 
in  order  except — i.  To  lay  on  the  table.  2. 
The  previous  question.  3.  To  postpone.  4. 
To  refer.  5.  To  commit.  6.  To  amend — 
which  shall  have  precedence  in  the  order  ar¬ 
ranged;  the  first  two  shall  be  decided  with¬ 
out  debate.  The  motion  to  adjourn  shall  al¬ 
ways  be  in  order  after  the  regular  order  of 
business  has  been  disposed  of. 

2.  When  a  member  speaks  he  shall  rise  and 
address  the  presiding  officer,  confining  him¬ 
self  strictly  to  the  merits  of  the  question  under 
consideration.  He  shall  not  be  interrupted 
while  speaking,  unless  by  the  presiding  of¬ 
ficer,  who  may  call  him  to  order  or  admonish 
him  to  a  closer  adherence  to  the  subject.  Nor 


19 


shall  a  member  be  allowed  to  speak  more 
than  once  on  the  same  subject  nor  longer 
than  ten  minutes,  except  to  explain,  without 
permission  from  the  League.  When  two  or 
more  members  rise  at  once  the  presiding  of¬ 
ficer  shall  decide  who  is  to  speak  first. 

3.  All  resolutions  and  amendments  shall 
be  presented  in  writing. 

4.  Questions  of  order  shall  be  decided  by 
the  President;  but  in  case  of  an  appeal  from 
his  decision,  the  League  shall  determine  by 
vote  without  debate. 

5.  A  motion  to  reconsider  any  former  res¬ 
olution  or  vote  can  only  be  made  by  a  mem¬ 
ber  who  voted  in  the  majority,  and  shall  not 
be  in  order  unless  another  question  shall  have 
intervened;  but  a  motion  to  reconsider  hav¬ 
ing  been  put  and  lost,  it  shall  not  be  again  re¬ 
newed  at  the  same  meeting. 

6.  No  business  shall  be  taken  up  except  in 
the  order  prescribed,  unless,  upon  motion, 
such  irregularity  shall  be  sanctioned  by  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  present  and  shall  be 
decided  without  debate. 

7.  On  the  call  of  six  members  for  the 
previous  question  the  President  shall  put  it 
in  this  form:  “Shall  the  main  question  now 
be  put?”  and  until  that  is  decided  it  shall  pre- 


20 


elude  all  further  amendments  to,  and  debate 
on,  the  main  question.  When  there  shall  be 
pending  amendments  the  question  shall  first 
be  taken  upon  the  amendments  in  their  order, 
and  without  debate. 

8.  Any  member  may  call  for  a  division  of 
the  question  when  the  same  will  admit  there¬ 
of. 

9.  No  motion  to  amend  the  minutes  by 
striking  out  or  inserting  words  or  sentences 
shall  be  admissible  unless  they  contain  some 
error  of  fact. 

10.  To  impugn  the  motives  of  members, 
or  committees,  or  the  League,  or  to  use  re¬ 
viling  or  degrading  language  toward  them, 
shall  be  considered  a  breach  of  order. 

11.  A  motion  to  table  an  amendment  or 
a  substitute  to  a  question,  decided  in  the  af¬ 
firmative,  does  not  carry  the  whole  question 
with  it.  When  a  resolution  or  motion  to 
amend,  or  alter  in  anywise,  either  the  Con¬ 
stitution,  the  By-Laws,  or  the  Rules  of  Order, 
has  been  laid  upon  the  table,  it  shall  not  be 
reconsidered  or  taken  from  the  table  with¬ 
out  a  month’s  previous  notice  being  given. 

12.  A  motion  to  temporarily  suspend  the 
Constitution,  or  any  article  or  section  thereof, 
can  only  be  entertained  at  a  stated  meeting 


21 


of  the  League  after  notice  of  the  same  has 
been  given  at  a  previous  regular  meeting;  and 
a  majority  vote  of  the  members  present, 
which  shall  be  taken  by  ball  ballot,  is  nec¬ 
essary  to  its  adoption.  No  motion  to  tem¬ 
porarily  suspend  any  portion  of  the  By-Laws 
shall  be  entertained  except  by  unanimous  con¬ 
sent  of  the  members  present  at  a  regular 
stated  meeting. 

13.  Smoking  shall  be  prohibited  at  all 
meetings  of  the  League. 

14.  In  the  absence  of  a  standing  rule,  ref¬ 
erence  shall  be  had  to  “Cushing’s  Manual” 
as  a  guide. 


ORDER  OF  BUSINESS 


Roll-call  of  Officers. 

Roll-call  of  Delegates 
Reading  of  Minutes. 

Admission  of  Delegates. 
Communications  and  Bills. 
Reports  of  Officers. 

Reports  of  Special  Committees. 
Reports  of  Standing  Committees. 
Reports  of  Organizations. 
Nomination  of  Officers. 

Election  of  Officers 
Installation  of  Officers. 
Unfinished  Business. 

New  Business. 

Welfare  of  the  League. 

Receipts. 

Adjournment. 


